Long lines common at Suncoast Gun Show

Gun enthusiasts worry about new gun legislation

The second day of the Suncoast gun show was greeted by long lines outside the War Memorial Auditorium.

It was a similar scene Saturday when the gun show began. The line stretched through the parking lot, and back a few blocks.

“I’ve never seen it like this before,” said Ben Blum. “I have been here 15 years never been this long.”

As it turns out, some stood in line for more than an hour to check out the latest guns, knives and accessories inside the Fort Lauderdale auditorium.

Some of those attending fear the talk in Washington about regulation and possible bans as ways to reduce gun violence.

Gun control activists are calling for a universal background check to include sales between private individuals at gun shows.

Existing federal law allows potential gun owners at these events to skirt the system without a background check or a cooling-off period.

Many attendees worry the regulations and bans may make it harder for them to buy guns.

“That's why everyone is here, trying to get them while we still can,” Blum said.

Blum took home a shotgun for just under $400, but vendors say prices like that are hard to come by and it’s common to pay double for some firearms.

“Just like in any other market when something happens in the world and gasoline prices spike,” said vendor George Montanez. “[The] same thing happens in the fire arms market, prices spike, [there are] shortages.”

One partial proposed solution would be to require thorough background checks for gun sales at shows and not renting out public building for such events.

The gun show is a money-maker for the city of Fort Lauderdale.

The two-day event brings in tens of thousands of dollars every year.

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